Friday was Ferris` last day as director. He is taking a job as operations manager in Lantana.

Soroka said candidates from all over the United States have applied for Ferris` position. Among them was Bob Sherman, the city`s parks maintenance supervisor. ``I`m just keeping an open mind about the decision, looking at all candidates objectively,`` Soroka said.

Soroka said he expects to make a decision in February. Until then, Sherman will act as director.

All applicants must have four-year college degrees in parks- or recreation- related fields and from three to five years of experience in recreation administration and park maintenance, Soroka said. The position will pay between $32,000 and $38,000 a year.

``What I`m really looking for is someone who`ll be able to come in and continue the progress that`s been made in recreation programming in the city,`` Soroka said. ``Plus, we want someone with the ability to continue our capital improvement program as it relates to the parks department.``

North Lauderdale has spent $1.2 million on a new sports complex at Rock Island Road and Kimberly Boulevard, which contains several baseball fields, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and other facilities.